Samsung Electronics Co. is contemplating elevating costs on its upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphones as a deepening international reminiscence chip scarcity drives up prices.
Provides of DRAM, the important thing element utilized in smartphones and servers, have tightened sharply as main producers, together with Samsung and SK Hynix Inc., shift extra capability towards high-bandwidth reminiscence (HBM) chips utilized in synthetic intelligence purposes.
The shift has lowered provides of general-purpose DRAM chips, prompting Apple Inc. and different smartphone makers to race to lock in long-term provide stretching by means of 2027.
Analysis agency TrendForce has just lately raised its forecast for fourth-quarter DRAM worth will increase throughout all main segments.
It marked its second upward revision in only a month, in a uncommon transfer to elevate its projections greater than as soon as in a single quarter.
Cellular DRAM costs are projected to see the sharpest positive factors. TrendForce mentioned that costs for LPDDR4, utilized in mid-range smartphones and LPDDR5, embedded in high-end fashions, are actually anticipated to climb 38-43% within the fourth quarter, up from earlier forecasts of 18%-23% and 20-25%, respectively.
TrendForce additionally raised its forecast for PC DRAM costs to a 25-30% improve from an earlier estimate of 18-23%.
Costs of server DRAM, the phase on the middle of the provision crunch, is now anticipated to rise 28-33%. The agency additionally projected that NAND Fash costs will proceed climbing every quarter by means of the tip of subsequent 12 months.
TrendForce mentioned that some chip suppliers have briefly stopped giving worth quotes because of a flood of orders from smartphone makers making ready for brand spanking new product launches early subsequent 12 months.
